What is COBRA? COBRA, an acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, is a federal law in the United States that enables qualified employees and their dependents to maintain their group health insurance coverage for a limited duration following a significant life event, such as job loss or a reduction in working hours. Under COBRA, individuals have the option to retain their former health insurance plan while footing the entire premium cost, which includes the portion previously covered by their employer, often making it more expensive. The coverage period under COBRA typica ..read more

Elevated Peace of Mind: Health insurance is a critical component of healthcare access in the United States. Residents of Utah have several health coverage options to choose from to meet their individual and family needs. Below is a brief overview of Utah’s most popular health coverage options. Blue Cross Blue Shield: Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a well-known health insurance provider that offers a range of plans in Utah. They provide a broad network of healthcare providers, including hospitals and physicians. Blue Cross plans often offer a variety of coverage options, including individual ..read more

by Start Health QUESTION – Which is better, a high or a low deductible? That’s how most people see and select health insurance. But what if we asked if you prefer a LOW premium or a HIGH premium, then which would you pick?  You should know that it’s not a simple either-or scenario. A LOW deductible generally accompanies a HIGH monthly premium. And a HIGH deductible generally offsets a LOW monthly premium. So, now which would you prefer? Health insurance with a HIGH deductible and a LOW premium, or the opposite—a plan with a LOW deductible and a HIGH premium? The answer is like many things ..read more

For business owners in the United States earning over $70,000 annually, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has brought about substantial changes in the realm of health insurance. While the ACA aimed to improve access to healthcare, its impact on small and medium-sized business owners has been a topic of debate. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why some business owners feel that the ACA is placing undue financial strain on them when it comes to health insurance. 1. Premium Increases: One of the concerns expressed by business owners making over $70,000 per year is the consistent rise in hea ..read more

by Start Health Healthcare costs are on the rise, but you can save significantly by taking coverage into your own hands and start taking charge of your healthcare decisions. How does your Start plan work? Start has created a consumer-guided healthcare experience by allowing members to choose any provider for care (no networks, which means you can go to any doctor or provider you choose!) and offering a seamless, simplified payment  process. Three-Step Guide Find & Receive Care Upload the Receipt Get Reimbursed.  Find & Receive Care Imagine if healthcare was as simple as buy ..read more

by Start Health The cost of healthcare is continually rising. In fact, U.S. healthcare spending is estimated to hit $6.2 trillion by 2028. Want to know a secret? It doesn’t have to be this way. You’re probably overspending on healthcare and Start has the solution. What’s to Blame for High Costs? There is not one single factor making healthcare more expensive. Culprits include (but are not limited to) inflation, technology, administrative expenses, and pharmaceutical costs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the consumer price index has increased by 8.5% in the last year. Here’s ..read more

With winter creeping up on us, it means shorter daylight time and colder temperatures. For many people, it will also be a time of the year when their physical activity efforts dip. People often reduce the amount of time they spend being physically active over the winter, usually due in part to it being so cold outside. Add to that the lack of motivation that people have during the darker, colder months, and it’s a recipe for disaster. The good news is that there are things people can do to help stay motivated to keep moving all winter long. “Although we may want to behave like it sometimes, we ..read more

How Much Sleep Your Child Really Needs Written by Megan Stewart, National Jewish Health Back to school season is upon us and there’s plenty parents can do now to make sure their kids are ready to go on that first day back in the classroom. Rest Up The key is start establishing a routine while there’s still a few weeks left in summer break.  Experts at National Jewish Health recommend resetting a child’s sleep schedule at least two weeks before school starts. Make it easy Each night move your child’s bedtime earlier by about 15 minutes, and wake them up about 15 minutes earlier every morni ..read more

Written by John A. Anderson – Editor in Chief Ah, the festive weight of the holiday season. Typically, the holidays leave a few lingering reminders. Combine Halloween candy with that Thanksgiving dinner and those Christmas cookies, then wash it all down with festive New Year’s celebrations and you have the recipe for a healthy holiday treat left delectably around the mid-section. The ‘bottom-line’ of an appetite-indulged holiday season is a city analogous to T.S. Elliot’s waist-land – at least in terms of health. Okay, enough sophomoric dieting euphemism, but the official confirmation is that ..read more

It’s the time of year so many people dread. Just when the last of the Halloween candy is either consumed or discarded; BAM! Thanksgiving. And the sugar binge begins anew. The holiday season is a three-month junk food marathon, but Thanksgiving is the foremost culprit. Why? The entire holiday is based around a meal! Sure, we drive (or fly) for hours to visit family and friends, but what do we do when we get there? Eat. We eat like it’s our job. Before you start dreaming about the pumpkin pie and stuffing, consider this: On average, Americans tend to gain weight over the holidays every year, and ..read more